Positivity rate more than 20% in 26 districts, Jaipur at 24%

JAIPUR: Rajasthan’s fight against coronavirus is facing a challenge as positivity rate reached a staggering 25% in total 13 districts in the state, despite the lockdown in the past six days.

The overall positivity rate of the state between May 10 and May 15 has remained 23.60%.
An official analysing the data said, there are seven districts in the state having a test positivity rate above 30%.
Since May 10, when the lockdown was imposed, Sikar has emerged as the state’s new Covid-19 hotspot with 36% positivity rate, highest so far. As per the records, out of 8,287 fresh samples that were collected, 3,128 tested positive.
It is followed by Ganganagar, where positivity rate is 35%. In Bharatpur, the positivity rate is 33%, while it has touched 32% in Alwar
Positivity rate in Pratapgarh, Jaisalmer and Dausa is 32%, 31% and 31%, respectively.
An official source said, “These districts have become infamous for mass public gatherings in recent days. The results are coming to fore. This is the reason the state government has enforced stricter curfews and more stringent lockdowns to curb the spread of the virus.”
A health official explained a higher positivity rate is worrying as it suggests a higher prevalence of the disease. Explaining the test positive rate, he said, “This rate is the percentage of people who test positive for Covid compared to the total number of people who have been tested.” The test positivity rate in Jalore is meagre 4%, lowest in the state.
As of May 15, 26 districts out of 33 have positivity rate of 20% or above. WHO says positivity rate should be lesser than 5% for effective containment of the pandemic. A source said, “The overall Covid situation may get better by May-end or June, only if people adhere to the guidelines. Otherwise, like other states such as Maharastra, the government will have no option other than extending the restrictions.”